Peace and Fitness

When Johnny Comes Marching Home

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I remember learning that song, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, back in elementary school.  “The men will cheer and the boys will shout-The ladies they will all turn out….”  Fast forward, to 1973, standing in my bedroom hearing the news that the war in Vietnam was over and though it would take many more months to have all our troops home, people were dancing in the streets.

Last night, watching the nightly news, Mitch and I saw the last of our combat troops leaving Iraq.  The violence hasn’t ended, but the war is over.  I hear no singing and I see no dancing in the streets.  7 and a half years in a place we never belonged.  No Osama Bin Laden.  No weapons of mass destruction.  Thousands and thousands of lives lost.  Our sons and daughters, our fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers.  David Bloom.  Fill in the blank. Nobody won–everybody lost.  This is war?  This IS war!

As I listen to the morning news, it is the headline story.  The departure of this final convoy does symbolize the end of this horrific war.  While many thousands will remain in Iraq to provide training, the combat is officially over, a few weeks earlier than President Obama planned.  Job well done, Commander in Chief.  Our President DID manage to get us out of this mess that we stormed into so boldly so many years ago.  His job of playing damage control is no easy one, that’s for sure!

I will certainly be celebrating the end of this war.  This is BIG.  Hey, what a great day for a vegan feast!  Bought a ton of veggies and will be making tofu and veggie kabobs on the grill tonight.  A big pot of brown rice.  A large garden salad.  Whole grain bread.  Melons and berries.  Healthful, vegan, low in calories, fun and yummy.

**If vegan is NOT your thing, be careful with your eggs.  There has been a massive recall.  If you google the egg recall, you can see if your eggs are on the list.  That said, if you are cooking them till both the white and yellow are hard, you really don’t have to worry as that will kill salmonella.

Have a wonderful day. Practice gratitude.  Nurture your temple. Celebrate some peace.  I know I will be!

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Comments

  1. I’m celebrating with YOU Bon! (And hearing “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” inside my head!)…

    ‘Not quite “Mission Accomplished” but I am DELIGHTED to be getting outta there!

    I’m off to use my rebounder before starting another day of work and play… Gotta get that blood flowing.

  2. We should all be glad to get out of there. If we acomplished something-and I know our solders say they did-we as americans should be proud. Maybe we made some friends along the way-God knows the world does not like us much-and I hope this sitting president can change that. He certainly has a lot to deal with everyday-can’t say I would like his job.
    Your right though Boni, it was a job well done!